We are building our Coop now, and plan to build a pen in this area of the photo. We live in a heavily wooded area and therefore cannot have them be free range. I'm sure that the trees will be a hiding place for flying predators, but plan on having places the chickens can run for cover. Also, the ground is covered in oak and sweet gum leaves. Should I rake and remove those leaves or leave them because so many bugs grow in them?
and Welcome To BYC! I would leave the leaves, the chickens will enjoy scratching through them and eating any bugs they find, a lot of people put leaves in their runs in the fall on purpose.
